Morning came too soon.
Sunlight crept in through the linen curtains of the penthouse, spilling warmth across the cold marble floors. The clinking of cutlery and the smell of eggs and toast filled the silence between them.
Adrian sat at the breakfast bar, dressed in crisp slacks and a black shirt, sipping coffee. Sophia moved around the kitchen, her robe cinched tightly around her waist, her hair pulled back in a low bun. Neither said much.
Just the usual.
Just strangers who happened to share a home.
Ethan ran into the room with sleepy eyes and wild hair, dragging his lion plush in one hand. "Daddy!" he beamed, climbing onto Adrian's lap without hesitation.
Sophia paused.
That word again.
Adrian smiled, smoothing Ethan's hair. "Good morning, champ."
"Can you take me to school today?" the boy asked, eyes hopeful.
Sophia's head turned. "Ethan—Daddy has work."
But Adrian spoke before she could finish. "I'll make time."
Sophia blinked. "You don't need to—"
"I want to," Adrian said firmly, glancing at her. "If it's alright with you."
She hesitated, then nodded slowly.
A soft smile tugged at Ethan's lips as he hugged Adrian tighter. For a moment, it almost looked like a real family.
Almost.
---
Later that afternoon, Sophia walked into her office, determined to distract herself with work. But her assistant, Lila, was already waiting.
"There's a charity gala next Friday," Lila said. "It's hosted by The Royal Heart Foundation. Your name is on the VIP list—as Mrs. Blake."
Sophia froze.
"I can pull you out of it," Lila added quickly. "But they're expecting you both."
Sophia sighed, rubbing her temple. "No. It's fine."
"You sure?"
She nodded. "We'll go. It's all for the image, right?"
Lila hesitated, then leaned in with a knowing smile. "You don't have to pretend with me, you know. I saw the way he looked at you during the party. Adrian Blake's not pretending anything."
Sophia said nothing.
Because that was the problem.
She wasn't sure she was pretending anymore either.
---
That night, after Ethan had gone to bed, Sophia found Adrian on the balcony, looking out over the glittering skyline.
He didn't turn when she joined him.
"I said yes to the gala," she said.
"I figured you would."
A beat passed.
"You're getting good at playing the perfect couple," she added, folding her arms.
Adrian looked over his shoulder at her. "I'm not playing anything."
Sophia exhaled slowly, eyes fixed on the lights below. "I don't know how to do this. Live in the same space. Share a child. Share history."
"We don't have to figure it all out today," Adrian said gently. "But we can try… for Ethan."
Sophia looked up at him.
Adrian held her gaze.
And for the first time in five years, it didn't feel like a war.
It felt like… the beginning of a fragile peace.